Teen blogger murder trial

17-year-old Rachelle Waterman had learned a jury could not agree on her guilt or innocence in the murder of her mother... and had been sitting in prison wondering what would happen next.

Judge Patricia Collins: I have concluded that that testimony, should this case proceed yet again to trial, is inadmissible.

In a blow to the prosecution, the same judge who allowed Rachelle's videotaped confession to be used in court  threw it out, saying she now believed the confession had been coerced.

Judge Patricia Collins: The indictment must also be dismissed.

The judge then threw out the indictment as well, which meant there were no longer any charges pending against Rachelle. Rachelle and her father were overwhelmed.

And so Rachelle was released from jail to her father's open arms. But even the Watermans' best friends say they doubt Rachelle will ever be welcome back in Craig, Alaska, the small village where so many loved her mother.

Don Pierce, friend of the Waterman family: Even if she had been acquitted in the trial, just outright, homes where she'd been allowed to go in and parents would have welcomed her, she wouldn't be allowed in to.

And Rachelle would find the same to be true in her own family.

Don Martelli, Sr.: If she'd own up to it, say, “I’m very, very sorry this happened, should never have happened,” I’d feel a lot better about it.

Rachelle's family found some comfort in one part of Rachelle's interrogation, played at trial, in which the teenager, without emotion, finally admitted she had exaggerated her stories of abuse -- those horrible stories that had set the murder in motion.

Sgt. Randy McPherron (interrogation video): A little exaggeration there and a little overacting there - here, can have some dire consequences, right?

(Rachelle nods)

But with no verdict, the family's wounds remain open... and their questions remain about Rachelle's involvement.

Dina Keyt, Rachelle’s aunt: I wanna think the best because I love her and she's my niece and she's still dear to me.

Rachelle's grandfather and uncle are not as forgiving.

Don Martelli, Sr.: Far as she's concerned, it's gone and forgotten.  But it's not gone and forgotten with us.

Don Martelli, Jr.: I’m pretty bitter about it and I don't know if I can forgive her.

Rachelle's brother Geoffrey still has questions, but has never discussed their mother's murder with Rachelle.

Larson: Do you feel like Rachelle loved your mom?

Geoffrey Waterman, Rachelle’s brother: That is a tough question. I don't think I can answer that.

Larson: What do you think your mom would want you to do with regards to your sister?

Geoffrey Waterman: Love her. Always.

Jason Arrant: What I did was a horrible thing, and I won't dispute that by pretending to be innocent.

Jason Arrant pled guilty to first degree murder; all other charges against him were dropped. He was sentenced to 50 years in that plea deal to testify against Rachelle.

As for Brian Radel, he has a lot of time to think. Although the other charges against him were dropped, he plead guilty to first degree murder and is now sitting in a prison in Alaska, serving a 99-year sentence for Lauri Waterman's murder.

Larson: Have you ever really sat and thought on how terrified she must have been that night?

Brian Radel: I think about it every night.

Larson: To this day, do you think Rachelle was in danger for her life?

Radel: No, I don't think so.

Larson: Did you still love Rachelle?

Radel: I still do.

Larson: You still do?

Radel: Yeah, I personally think she's a good person. I don’t think she wanted her mom killed.

Larson: That was a hell of a mistake.

Radel: Yeah.

The prosecution has appealed the judge's decision to throw out Rachelle Waterman's confession, and the indictment. If the decision is overturned, a grand jury will have to determine whether new charges should be handed down.                       

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